Bahrain PM sends financial help to Majhi who carried body of his wife on shoulder

The Bahrain government, moved by reports of a man carrying his wife’s body on his shoulder for burial in Odisha, has reportedly offered to extend financial help to the grieving family.

The Indian embassy in Bahrain is, however, yet to receive an official confirmation from the office of Bahrain’s Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa about the amount.

“The Bahraini prime minister responded to media reports on the incident and has made an offer for humanitarian assistance. He has decided to make a contribution but we have not yet received any official confirmation regarding the amount of money or when it will be made,” sources in the Indian embassy in Bahrain said.

Sources said that should such a contribution be made, it will be channeled through the Bahraini embassy in Delhi.

A report in ‘Gulf Daily News’ earlier said the premier was upset by the news and he felt “he had to do something to help”.

The report did not mention the sum the Bahraini premier plans to contribute.

On August 24 in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, Dana Manjhi was forced to carry his wife’s body on his shoulder for 10 kilometres because of the alleged lack of an ambulance.

Majhi’s 42-year-old wife died of tuberculosis a day before at the district hospital at Bhawanipatna.